Method and apparatus for treating textiles



Jan. 20, 1931. E. D. JEFFERSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TEXTILES Filed June 24, 1929 ira m 6 \rwl a w m D. 6

A 2 6 m m Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EUGENE D. JEFFERSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO RODNEY HUNT MACHINE COMPANY, OF ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS METHOE AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TEXTILES Application filed June 24,

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for treating textiles.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical method and apparatus for kier treatment of textile goods by which uniform action of the liquor on all parts of the goods is assured.

\Vith this object in view, one feature of the invention consists in a method and apparatus by which the liquor is circulated or flowed intermittently both into the heart of the goods and also on the top thereof. Preferably, the liquor is forced into the heart of the goods under pressure and is sprayed on the top of the goods from above. The intermittent operation efiects important advantages, because in the intervals between sprays, the liquor is allowed to seep downwardly through the mass, thereby conducing to uniform penetration of the liquor in the goods, and preventing the building u of a liquid pressure to compact the mass of goods in the bottom of the kier.

In the best known form of the invention yet devised, the liquor flows are operated intermittently and alternately. Although concurrent operation of the flows is feasible and produces excellent results, a greater degree of uniformity is obtained with alternate action. Accordingly, a feature of the invention contemplates a treating cycle in four steps: first subjecting the goods to one of the liquor flows; second, providing a short seepage interval; third, subjecting the goods to the other of the liquor flows; and finally, providing another seepage interval.

Otherfeatures of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction and modes of operation hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims.

The accompanying drawing is a partly dia grammatic side elevation of the preferred apparatus for practising the present invention.

' The illustrated apparatus comprises a kier consisting of the usual sheet metal vessel 2, the cover 4, and the grate 6. In order to force the liquor under pressure into the heart of the goods, the kier is provided with a center pipe 8 which terminates below the line of the goods12 and which is provided with per- 1929. Serial No. 373,156.

nects with an inspirator 18 placed-in the I liquor collecting space below the grates. The inspirator is of any usual or preferredform acting upon the introduction of steam to force liquor upwardly through the pipe 8.

and the perforations 14 into the goods. To this end, a steam pipe 20 connects the inspirator with a steam main 21 through a time valve 22 which may be of the type described in my Patent'No. 1,482,? 95, dated February 5, 1924. This valve is for the purpose of introducing steam at timed intervals to force the liquor at intervals through the perforated pipe into the goods. The time valve is by-passed by a manually controlled valve 24 which is employed upon starting of the process to .Warm up the kier prior to placing the kier under the automatic operation of the time valve.

In addition to the introduction of liquor. into the center of the goods, means. are provided for spraying liquor on the top of the goods. To this end, a pipe 26 connects into the bottom of the kier and leads to a spray pipe 28 at the top. The pipe 28 is adapted to discharge on a splash pan 29in order to disperse a fine spray of liquorover the goods. The pipe 26 is provided near the bottom with a fitting 31 which contains an inspirator 30 similar to the inspirator 18. The inspirator 30 connects through a pipe 32 with a second time valve 34 which is connected to the steam main 21. The valve 34 may also be by-passed by a hand valve 36.

The liquor line which is the level that the liquor will assume when the kier is not in operation is indicated at 38 somewhat below the line of the goods 12, and above the top of the pipe 8.

In operation, the goods are plated in the usual manner to approximately the level indicated in the drawing. The treating liquor is then admitted to an intermediate level as indicated by the line 38. Steam is then ad mitted through the valves 24 and 36, thus forcing the liquor. continuously into the 'goods until predetermined conditions of liquor temperature and kier pressure have been established. The manual control valves are then closed and the time valves 22 and 34 are permitted to control the admission of steam to the inspirators.

As described in the prior patent above re-- ferred to, each time valve operates to force steam intermittently through its corresponding inspirator, thereby directing streams of liquor through the goods. In the intervals when the time valves are closed, the liquor which has been sprayed upon or forced into the goods, is permitted to seep through the mass, being eventually collected in the liquor space below the grates. The provision for seepage which is brought about by the intermittent operation constitutes an important feature because it makes for highly uniform treatment. \Vith continuous operation, the possibility arises that the liquor may become nearly exhausted from the bottom of the kier and may concentrate on the upper portion of the goods so that its pressure may unduly compact the mass in the bottom of the kier and force the liquor to make channels for its return to the liquor space.

The time valves 22 and 34 may be operated concurrently, that is, to force liquor through the pipes 8 and 28 simultaneously. It is, however, preferred to operate the time valves alternately in order that both circulations may not occur at the same time. This action provides for better seepage and more uniform penetration of the liquor into all parts of the goods. According to the preferred mode of operation, therefore, the time valves are operated in approximately the following cycle: first, the time valve 22 is opened to force liquor through the perforated pipe 8 for a period of about one minute; second, a seepage interval of approximately one-half minute is provided during which neither valve is open; third,

the time valve 34 is opened for approximate ly one minute to spray liquor on the top'of the goods; and fourth, a final seepage interval of about one-half minute is provided by maintaining both valves closed. This cycle of operation is repeated until the treatment is complete. The relative durations of the liquor flows and the seepage intervals may obviously be varied to suit any individual requirements. I

Although the invention has been described as employing steam for the working fluid to flow the liquor into or on the goods, it will be understood that any circulating means, such as a pump, may be employed, or any gas or vapor may be used to operate the inspirators. Steam is to be preferred, however, because it constitutes a heating medium for the liquor. Moreover, on being cooled by contact with the liquor, it condenses and therefore does not cause an undue riseof pressure in the kier.

Although two time valves have been shown and described, it will understood that the showing is diagrammatic only and that a single control means or any suitable devices for intermittently regulating the flows may be employed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The method of kier treatment of textiles which consists in intermittently flowing liquor into the heart of the goods and onto the goods from above, and providing seepage intervals for the liquor between sprays.

2. The method of kier treatment of textiles which consists in intermittently circulating liquor outwardly from the center of the mass of goods, permitting seepage of the liquor, intern'iittently spraying liquor on top of the goods, and again permitting seepage of the liquor through the goods.

3. A kier comprising a vessel adapted to contain textile goods to be treated, a perforated pipe extending upwardly into the kier,

means for supplying liquor to the pipe to force it through the goods, a spray pipe above the line of the goods, and a timed control means for intermittently forcing liquor through thepipes.

at. A kier comprising a vessel adapted to contain textile goods to be treated, a perforated pipe extending upwardly into the kier, means for supplying liquor to the pipe to force it through the goods, a spray pipe above the line of the goods, and timed control means for intermittently and alternately forcing liquor through the ipes.

5. A kier comprising a vessel, a perforated center pipe in the vessel, an inspirator for forcing liquor into the pipe, a liquor circulating pipe connecting the top and the bottom of the kier, a second inspirator in the c1rculating pipe, spray means in the top of the kier connected with the circulating pipe, and means for operating the inspirators to force the liquor into the goods and to spray it on the goods from above.

6. A kier comprising a vessel, a perforated center pipe in the vessel, an inspirator for forcing liquor into the pipe, a circulating pipe connecting the top and the bottom of the kier, a spray device connected with the circulating pipe, a second inspirator in the circulating pipe, and timed control means for intermittently operating the inspirators.

7. A kier comprising a vessel, a perforated center 'pipe in the vessel, an inspirator for forcing "liquor into the pipe, a circulating pipe connecting the top and the bottom of the kier, a second inspirator in the spray pipe, spraying means connected with the circulating pipe,-and timed control means for intermittently and alternately operating the inspirators with seepage intervals between the liquor flows.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' EUGENE D. JEFFERSON. 

